Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 1st April 2022
1. Buhari Govt Can’t Complete Ajaokuta Steel Company Works Before 2023 – Minister
The revitalization works on the Ajaokuta steel company plant located in Kogi State would not be concluded before the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari ends in 2023.
The Minister of mines and steel development, Olamilekan Adegbite made the disclosure on Thursday while speaking with state house correspondents in Abuja.
Naija News recalls a 2022 date had earlier been announced by the federal government for the plant to roar back to life but the Minister on Thursday said the COVID-19 pandemic had slowed down the works as well as funds available for it.
He added that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is another impediment to the successful completion of the project.
The Minister pointed out that the delay was clearly caused by major unforeseen circumstances.
2. Allow Nigerians To Carry Guns – Reps Majority Leader Speaks
The Majority leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, has demanded that Nigerians be allowed to carry guns for self-protection.
Dogwa stated this on Thursday while speaking on a motion of urgent public importance moved by Shehu Balarabe.
Balarabe had moved a motion on the killing of 150 persons in Birni Gwari in Kaduna State.
Ahmed Nasir, a member of the APC from Kano State, also demanded that the National Security Adviser, Mohammed Monguno be relieved of his duties over the increase in killings in Nigeria.
He maintained that if the house could demand the sacking of the service chiefs, then Mr Monguno should not be an exception.
3. FG Release New Directive On Face Masks
President Muhammadu Buhari-led government on Thursday stated that the use of face masks in public places is now optional.
According to the federal government, the final relaxation of the measures will be taken after Easter.
The Secretary of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Muktar Muhammed, disclosed this in an interview with Punch in Abuja.
PSC further stated that it would stop demanding proof of PCR tests from fully vaccinated travellers.
Muhammed stated, “We are easing up restrictions, but it’s important we do so responsibly.
4. Amaechi Denies Asking Nigerians To Contribute Money For Victims Of Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has denied asking Nigerians to contribute money for victims of Monday’s Abuja-Kaduna train attack by bandit terrorists.
The Minister made the denial on Thursday while reacting to trending reports that he asked Nigerians to contribute money to foot the medical expenses of the victims.
According to Amaechi who also shared a video of what he said during his visit to the victims at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna on Wednesday, what he said was that the Nigerian Railway Corporation would liaise with the hospital management on how to sort the bills of those that were treated.
He disclosed that the military treated the victims without charging a dime, adding that some of the patients need drugs that are not produced in Nigeria and would be attended to by medical experts not working with the Nigerian Army.
5. FG Probes Abuja Stadium Invasion, Destruction Of Facilities
The Federal Government has set up a panel to probe the invasion of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja and the destruction of facilities by angry fans.
Naija News had reported that some angry Nigerians invaded the pitch following Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for Qatar 2022 World Cup on Tuesday and destroyed different facilities at the stadium.
In a statement on Thursday, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, announced that a nine-member committee has been constituted to investigate the invasion of the pitch and vandalization of the stadium facilities.
Dare said the terms of reference for the investigative panel will be made known to the members in due course.
The minister disclosed that the investigative panel would be chaired by a former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sanni Usman (rtd).
6. 2023: We Won’t Allow A Repeat Of 2019 – Lai Mohammed Issues Strong Warning
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has warned media houses in the country about proper conduct in the build-up to, during, and after the 2023 general elections.
The Minister on Thursday said the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) would not fail to sanction any media house that engages in unprofessional broadcasts and breaches the Broadcasting Code.
According to Mohammed, a lot of media houses in Nigeria fell short of expectations during the 2019 general elections by engaging in and allowing inciting broadcasts.
He however warned that such would not be allowed in the 2023 elections and any media outlet found guilty risks NBC sanctions including possible revocation of its broadcast license.
Naija News reports the Minister issued the warning on Thursday during the inauguration of the governing board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in Abuja.
7. FG Extends NIN-SIM Linkage
President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has extended the NIN-SIM linkage for the next few days.
The Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Head, Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Kayode Adegoke in a statement jointly signed charged Nigerians to use the opportunity to complete the process of enrolment and verification.
The statement reads, “The general public would recall that the Federal Government approved an extension of the NIN-SIM linkage deadline to the 31st of March, 2022.
“In preparation for the enforcement, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) urges citizens and legal residents to use the next few days to ensure that they complete the linkage.
8. Kaduna-Abuja Train Attack: Goodluck Jonathan Speaks
Former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the attack on the Kaduna-Abuja train by terrorists.
The attack which occurred on Monday led to the murder, injury, and abduction of some individuals.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident, the former president took to his Twitter account on Thursday to condemn the actions of the bandits while also calling on security agencies to make more effort to curtail insecurities in the country.
9. FG Approves N1bn For NDLEA To Buy Lie Detectors, Night Vision Goggles
The Muhammadu Buhari-led government has approved N1 billion for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to procure lie detectors and night vision goggles.
Naija News reports that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made this known while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.
Malami said the council approved the procurement of the gadgets for the narcotic agency to enhance their performance in curbing illicit drugs in the country.
The minister said the eye-scanning lie detector will help the NDLEA to detect whether a suspect is speaking the truth or lying in the course of an investigation.
He added that the night vision google device is intended to support the night operations of NDLEA in view of its capacity to support visibility for the agency’s operatives.
10. NFF Disengages Super Eagles’ Technical Crew
Following the failure of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the erstwhile Technical Adviser, Augustine Eguavoen has stepped down from that position with immediate effect.
The NFF has in the meantime withdrawn the two-and-half years contract offered the coaches and terminated the appointment of the entire technical crew of the team with immediate effect. A new crew will be announced after a proper review to lead the new charge of reinvigorating the Super Eagles to face future challenges appropriately.
“We thank the coaches and team officials for their service to the nation and wish them success in their future endeavours,” said NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.
Those are the top Nigerian newspapers headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News